CreaTV San Jose Production Van with Broadcast Pix Granite Improves Public Access Programming

(Billerica, Massachusetts--June 19, 2012) Broadcast Pix™ today announced CreaTV San Jose, which provides four public access and education channels for San Jose, Calif., has rolled out its first mobile production vehicle. Anchored with a Granite™ 1000 Video Control Center™, the Ford E350 extended cargo van is being used to cover high school sports and other events.

CreaTV is no stranger to Broadcast Pix. The public access station already has a Granite 1000 in its large studio, Slate 1000 in its smaller studio, and Slate Portable for remote shoots. In addition, it recently included Slate 500 systems as part of four portable production studios for San Jose schools as part of a grant project.

Justin Cowgill, director of facilities and technology, said the decision to purchase another Broadcast Pix system made sense from a training perspective, as he and his staff regularly train community volunteers to produce programs. However, with an integrated production system inside, it was also well equipped for the production van.

“It has so many features built into it that would take up more rack space, which means more real estate in the truck. Also, each tool costs money and is another potential point of failure,” Cowgill explained. “Space and weight were limited, and so was cost. Broadcast Pix really made it a much more affordable way to go.”

Since it hit the streets in 2011, the production van has been used mostly to record local high school football, though CreaTV has also produced coverage of roller derby, city meetings, and its own CreaTiVe Awards program. “Our setup and capabilities are extremely streamlined,” said Cowgill.

CreaTV makes extensive use of Granite’s Fluent™ workflow tools. The built-in Harris CG provides lower-thirds, scores, and sponsor graphics during sports coverage, while the Fluent Animation Store delivers transitions for instant replay. Fluent Clip Store is used for opens and bumps as well.

Four 24-inch monitors in the truck are fed using Fluent-View. CreaTV purchased the Quad Monitor option, so each of the 24-inch monitors can be configured to best serve the crew members at the TD, graphics, audio, and engineering stations. Cowgill recalled a shoot when one monitor was damaged, but he was able to compensate with Fluent-View. “It’s really easy to adjust based on your needs,” he said.

Designed and built by Magic Wave Productions, which is based in Pleasanton, Calif., the new production vehicle can accommodate up to five crew members. Beyond the Granite 1000, the van is also equipped with a Yamaha DM1000 audio console, Tightrope Media Systems ZEPLAY multi-channel instant replay, and two AJA Ki Pro recorders. Remote productions use three JVC GY-HM790U ProHD cameras, which are connected to the van via fiber.

After more than 20 shoots on location, Cowgill is very pleased with Granite 1000. “It’s fantastic,” he said. “The Broadcast Pix has served us well. We have a very solid system.”

About Broadcast Pix
Broadcast Pix is a leader in live video production systems. Its Video Control Centers™ empower operators with patented techniques that combine cameras, clips and graphics to create compelling live video. The integration of a multi-format switcher, clip store, graphics system with a Harris or Chyron CG, and device controls provides the lowest cost of ownership at a fraction of the cost of a conventional control room to buy, staff and operate. Systems range from compact systems controlled by a touch-screen or voice-automation to sophisticated 2 M/E control panels. Customers include leading broadcast, corporate, education, religious, government, webcast, entertainment and mobile studios in more than 100 countries. Learn more at http://www.broadcastpix.com.